While some of us await the announcement later this week re the awarding of the men's tournaments for 2018 & 2022, the field of 16 is now set for the women's version, next summer in Germany --

-- as are the group's following today's draw (with current FIFA world ranking shown):

Group A #2 Germany #8 France #9 Canada #27 Nigeria

Group B #5 Japan #10 England #22 Mexico #23 New Zealand

Group C #1 USA #4 Sweden #6 Korea DPR #32 Colombia

Group D #3 Brazil #7 Norway #12 Australia #62 Equatorial Guinea

All 3 of the big CONCACAF teams will be represented at the expense of UEFA, given what transpired in Cancun during qualifying (see here) and the subsequent playoff elimination of #11 Italy by the US. Based at least on those current rankings, the US and Sweden pretty clearly head up the group of death, if you want to call it that. The prospects for whoever gets through in that group are not pretty, either, with Brazil and Norway looming over in Group D. Group A is no bunch of slouches, either. But a huge question is whether the hosts will thrive at home and prove unbeatable (or close to it), of if they may instead suffer under the added psychological pressure of all the expectations, given the (presumed) home advantage.

Canada has won the honor of facing off in the opening match against those hosts in Berlin on June 26th. The final will be in Frankfurt on July 17th. Full schedule here. Not sure how many matches (especially non-US matches) will air on ESPN or ESPN2, or perhaps again in conjunction with ABC (as during the men's WC this past summer), though it appears that every match may be available online on ESPN3.com, at least.

While some of us await the announcement later this week re the awarding of the men's tournaments for 2018 & 2022, the field of 16 is now set for the women's version, next summer in Germany --

-- as are the group's following today's draw (with current FIFA world ranking shown):

Group A #2 Germany #8 France #9 Canada #27 Nigeria

Group B #5 Japan #10 England #22 Mexico #23 New Zealand

Group C #1 USA #4 Sweden #6 Korea DPR #32 Colombia

Group D #3 Brazil #7 Norway #12 Australia #62 Equatorial Guinea

All 3 of the big CONCACAF teams will be represented, given what transpired in Cancun during qualifying (see here), and based at least on those current rankings, the US is pretty clearly in the group of death, if you want to call it that. The prospects for whoever gets through in that group are not pretty, either, with Brazil and Norway looming over in Group D. But a huge question is whether the hosts will thrive at home and prove unbeatable (or close to it), of if they may instead suffer under the added psychological pressure of all the expectations, given the (presumed) home advantage.

Canada has won the honor of facing off in the opening match against those hosts in Berlin on June 26th. The final will be in Frankfurt on July 17th. Full schedule here. Not sure how many matches (especially non-US matches) will air on ESPN or ESPN2, or perhaps again in conjunction with ABC (as during the men's WC this past summer), though it appears that every match may be available online on ESPN3.com, at least.

Only a little over a month away from the start, now, and thankfully for us gringos, the USWNT appears to be returning to form, with Hope Solo back in goal and a pair of well-under-control, 2-0 wins against Japan (no slouch at #4 in the world, currently).

The autographed, game-worn jerseys from the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team who faced Japan on May 14 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, raised a total of $20,597.44 via an online auction. The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the American Red Cross to benefit tsunami relief efforts in Japan.
...

The US women have their friendly against Mexico a week from today, too:

Quote:

The match at spectacular Red Bull Arena is the first international match for any U.S. Soccer National Team at one of the newest jewels in the growing collection of world class soccer-specific stadiums in the United States...

After the game, the players will have a break before leaving in mid-June for a pre-Women’s World Cup training camp in Austria. The USA opens the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Korea DPR on June 28 at Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden, Germany...

Well the US women outshot their Mexican counterparts 34-4 -- including a whopping 14 shots on goal -- and could only get 1 in, just before time ran out. That one was a real beauty, though -- Lauren Cheney's lone wolf strike from 25-30 yards out:

The US's frustrations were largely due to poor finishing (looking at you, Rodriguez & Rapinoe!), and lack of coaching creativity in terms of formation, but maybe especially the spectacular work of Mexican GK Ceci Santiago, the new starter heading to the World Cup at the ripe old age of 16!

She was quite clearly the player of the match and it was very bittersweet even when cheering for the US to watch her play all that time and then see an unstoppable shot finally beat her in injury time.

The US women still look surprisingly vulnerable, though. If they don't get things really shipshape in a hurry, I'm afraid they'll be playing in the consolation match in Deutschland this summer, having been eliminated in a semi-final by the hosts...

Well the first round of the group stage is in the books with 7 wins all going the way of the favorite but 1 tie that didn't. Happily that was in favor of Mexico, who held off England to gain their first point ever in the WWC finals. Rather like last year for England: some good hype going in and they take the lead in their first group stage game but then end up with only a draw against a side from across the pond, significantly complicating their situation...

Canada starts a bit match against France shortly, needing a result after losing the Germany in the opener. Mexico has to face tough Japan tomorrow, while England gets NZ. If the US and Sweden both win as expected on Saturday, their showdown later won't be nearly as important.

Heading that way on the 14th. Right now we're in Amsterdam. Lovely city, and wonderful people.

Wow, very cool! I envy you.

I get the impression from some of the reports and player comments that the USWNT is getting more support in the crowds over there than they get at home. Maybe they can sort of pull a Mexico move and push back against Germany's supposed home field advantage.

And actually that Germany—France match-up could be major! With all those goals today, Germany has to outright win to take the group and get better match-ups. Of course they probably will, knowing the Germans (cue that quote from Lineker here), but I think if they don't, they'll get tossed over to the other side of the bracket with Brazil and the US could potentially escape both of them until the final, as a result.

Edit: Found the quote. Love it.

Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always wins.

I get the impression from some of the reports and player comments that the USWNT is getting more support in the crowds over there than they get at home. Maybe they can sort of pull a Mexico move and push back against Germany's supposed home field advantage.

And actually that Germany—France match-up could be major! With all those goals today, Germany has to outright win to take the group and get better match-ups. Of course they probably will, knowing the Germans (cue that quote from Lineker here), but I think if they don't, they'll get tossed over to the other side of the bracket with Brazil and the US could potentially escape both of them until the final, as a result.

Edit: Found the quote. Love it.

Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always wins.

Hope that quote isn't true this time. Being in Germany and having to put up with my annoying brother-in-law would be too much IF they win. Someone needs to show them up